TAPPS 4A Champion Northland girls tennis reloading, not rebuilding

Published 4:08 pm, Saturday, April 15, 2017

Photo: Northland Christian School

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Senior Sarah Navid and freshman Elyse Dewbre helped Northland Christian School's varsity girls tennis squad secure two of the top three finishes in singles play, and both were key players on the TAPPS 4A state-title girls team. The Cougars finished with 18 total points at the state tournament, well ahead of Faith Academy of Marble Falls and San Jacinto Christian Academy, tied with 14 total points apiece. less

Senior Sarah Navid and freshman Elyse Dewbre helped Northland Christian School's varsity girls tennis squad secure two of the top three finishes in singles play, and both were key players on the TAPPS 4A ... more

Photo: Northland Christian School

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Northland Christian senior Sarah Navid stands with the TAPPS 4A state title trophy in front of Northland's campus. Navid, whose older brother Daniel was the state tournament runner-up for the Northland boys last year, earned the state title in singles play on the team that won the state title overall. less

Northland Christian senior Sarah Navid stands with the TAPPS 4A state title trophy in front of Northland's campus. Navid, whose older brother Daniel was the state tournament runner-up for the Northland boys ... more

Photo: Northland Christian School

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From left to right: Senior Sarah Navid, Northland Christian Tennis head coach Elizabeth Bohannon and freshman Elyse Dewbre. Though 2017's state title run was an unprecedented step forward for the program, there is very reason to believe that the Cougars could be even better next year. less

From left to right: Senior Sarah Navid, Northland Christian Tennis head coach Elizabeth Bohannon and freshman Elyse Dewbre. Though 2017's state title run was an unprecedented step forward for the program, there ... more

Photo: Northland Christian School

TAPPS 4A Champion Northland girls tennis reloading, not rebuilding

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For Northland Christian's Sarah Navid, it was not the third, but the fourth time that was charmed.

The senior tennis star had been a mainstay at the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools state tournament, qualifying as a freshman and returning each subsequent year.

For three straight years, Navid didn't win a match. This year, she didn't lose one.

Navid is still enjoying the sensation of finishing the season with a win. Even going into the tournament, 'winning it all' wasn't necessarily what was foremost on Navid's mind, which made the victory all the sweeter.

"It was definitely rewarding," Navid said. "I practiced the most for this state tournament. The last three years, I didn't expect anything, but this year, I thought maybe I could at least win one round. Previously I hadn't won. It felt good to finally be able to win."

'Charmed' might not be a fair description. Speaking to the radical, night-and-day difference between her first three seasons competing in the state tournament and her dominant run through the bracket this year, reeling off wins 6-0, 6-0; 6-2, 6-1; and 6-4, 6-1 to reach the finals, Navid said diligence – wholehearted commitment to practice – was the catalyst for the leap forward. The preparation inevitably led to confidence, which led to the title.

"It was part practice and part confidence," Navid said. "Not having confidence going into it hurt me [before]. This time, I felt like I should win, so that helped me propel myself further."

Navid's older brother, Daniel, was the state runner-up last year for the Northland boys, and she said that owning the bragging rights in the family is a sweet feeling.

Sweeter still was the Northland girls' overall performance. The Cougars racked up 18 total points, well ahead of runner-up Faith Academy of Marble Falls' 14, winning the 2017 TAPPS 4A Girls State Title.

Changing of the guard

Navid's graduation in May will close the book on one era of Northland tennis. The two Navids helped elevate the tennis program to state-caliber level, under the guidance of head coach Elizabeth Bohannon.

Aside from Navid, every other player on the state-title squad will return next season. Losing a singular, state-title-winning talent like Navid is a blow, but the continuity and progression point to a team that could be stronger next year than it was this year.

Expect to see Elyse Dewbre's name around this time next year.

Dewbre, a freshman who had never played competitive tennis or trained prior to this season, not only qualified for state, but won her first two matchups 6-4, 7-6; 6-4, 6-4 before falling to Dollander, Navid's finals opponent, good for third place in singles competition.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Dewbre's expectations prior to the tournament were considerably more modest than her ultimate achievements.

"I wasn't expecting anything going in, because I was a freshman," Dewbre said. "I was competing against everyone else who had been playing for a long time, and I had just started. It was really fun. I enjoyed the experience, and I was proud of how far I got."

That kind of remarkable development is rare, and requires the right blend of innate talent and culture to occur. Dewbre credits Navid with setting a good example for the rest of the team, in terms of attitude, effort and preparation.

Both players agree that Bohannon's impact on the team is immeasurable. Dewbre alluded to a poster hanging inside the school in describing her head coach.

"There's a sign in our cafeteria that says, 'a good coach doesn't see you as the athlete you are, but the athlete you could be,'" Dewbre said. "That describes her more than anything else. She sees our potential, and she tries to push us."

Navid also uses the word push to describe Bohannon's impact, and both mean it in a decidedly positive way.

"[Bohannon] pushes me," Navid said. "She was honestly one of my driving factors. I don't want to go out there and embarrass my coach. She inspires me to push harder."